Victory MedalGiven the information we have available it is likely that William Benjamin Olley was entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.

British War MedalFrom the information available to us, it is very possible that William Benjamin Olley was entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.

Memorial Death Plaque Of WWIThe next of kin for William Benjamin Olley would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total.

ORBATS

Orders of Battle (ORBATS) are documents produced by the military to show the hierarchical structure,
command organisation and disposition of units for particular engagements of the British Military.
At the highest level they show a breakdown of the units involved in entire conflicts, the First World War in this case,
including Divisional and Brigade commanding officers, the organisation of the divisions right down to the battalion level along with their attached units from for example,
the Royal Artillery. With the ORBATS you are able to determine exactly where units were on a given date and the battle, action or event they took part in.

The ORBATS data transcribed by Forces War Records has allowed us to produce this interactive map,
with which you can track the progress of units throughout the course of the First World War,
from the opening battle at Mons to the closing stages of the Spring Offensive.